“Dance Your Way Into Business Success”
| |I sometimes get asked for advice by friends or colleagues for suggestions on how their sibling, child, nephew, niece, or grandchild can establish a career as a professional dancer, and also, if it’s a career that will offer stability and longevity at some point.
For details on how to pursue a career in dance, check out my article, “The Professional Dancer’s Survival Kit”.
To learn about wages and salaries for dance instructors, check out the article, “Window Into Wages“, highlighting our Kiner Enterprises Inc. Dance Industry Report.
In the meantime, check out why professional dancers make great business people!
Qualities of a Professional Dancer:
-Passion
-Vision
-Strength
-Tenacity
-Determination
-Discipline
-Know-How/Talent
Qualities of a Successful Business Person:
-Passion
-Vision
-Strength
-Tenacity
-Determination
-Discipline
-Know-How/Talent
It’s no wonder that so many professional dancers are able to transition into, or compliment their passion for dance with a successful business career!
Whether it’s opening a dance studio, starting your own dance company or clothing line, publishing a dance magazine or website, or founding the 1st and only national dance teacher staffing agency in the U.S. (Kiner Enterprises Inc.), dancers are more business savvy than you think!
The main key, in my opinion, that separates the dancer, from the dancer/business person is the desire to create your own “Big Break”. Many dancers dream of getting their “Big Break” in their dance career, that one job, show, or gig that takes their career to the next level, and opens the doors of opportunity. They hope and dream, and wait around for someone to recognize their talent, and pave the way to success for them.
However, it is the dancer who is interested in creating their own “Big Break” that experiences the rewards of a successful business career. The journey of entrepreneurship is a complicated one, and the path to success is very bumpy, unpredictable, and doesn’t have the straightforward equation of “audition equals job”. But, it’s well worth the tumultuous journey!
My advice to any dancer interested in launching a career in business, whether it is dance-related or not, is, go for it! You already embody the innate qualities of a successful business person! The only thing holding you back is you! Good luck!
Although I’m not a dancer I do agree that people with those characteristics to bcome a professional dancer can usually transition that into a good business person. It goes the same with any other sport I believe. If you have the passion to persue that sport or dance at a higher level then you can usually transition that same passion into a great career outside or strictly dancing or playing that sport. To all Dancers and or Athletes keep The Passion you are meant to do great things.
I agree completely Erica! With these qualities, anything is possible!
We dancers must stick together, I think we get a bum deal. I’m not working at the moment but get great comfort from my daily routines.
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Yes Sandra, we must support and encourage each other, it’s not easy out here!
Yes, this has been my experience. When I stopped working as a dancer, I went back to school and got an MBA. Became an entrepreneur and later a corporate executive. My training and experience as a dancer was instrumental in my success.
That’s fantastic JP! Dancers are very complex people, and we have the ability to do anything we put our mind to! Congrats, and much continued success to you!
Thank you so very much! Your feedback is much appreciated! 🙂
Good article, thank you.
best regards
Great post Ashani. I love how you say success comes from “desire to create your own Big Break.” I couldn’t agree more. My husband is an actor and he focuses on creating opportunities for himself by writing, producing and directing his own work. Great new blog post that transcends the dance industry.
Thanks Lindsay! Your husband definitely gets it! For those sitting around “waiting” for anything to happen in their lives, instead of going out and getting it, or creating it for themselves, they should get very comfortable and grab a book, because they’re going to be waiting a LONG time! lol 🙂